Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Empower vs TurboTax

Empower logo

Empower

Accounting

All your finances. One app.

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
TurboTax logo

TurboTax

Accounting

File yourself with clear, step-by-step tools, or hand it to an expert

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only TurboTax has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Empower specific advisory fees not published; Form ADV consultation required; TurboTax pricing varies significantly based on tax complexity and filing date
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Empower and TurboTax actually diverge.

Attributes where Empower and TurboTax differ
AttributeEmpowerTurboTax
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded2009Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Empower

  • Net worth tracking
  • Investment tracking
  • Retirement planner
  • Cash flow
  • 401k fee analyzer
  • Bank connections
  • Brokerage accounts
  • SOC 2

Only in TurboTax

Nothing recorded that Empower does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Empower

  • Wealth trackingnot TurboTax
  • Retirement planningnot TurboTax
  • Investment analysisnot TurboTax

TurboTax

  • Individual tax filing for US residentsnot Empower
  • Complex tax scenarios requiring multiple schedules and formsnot Empower
  • Expert assistance or full tax preparation servicesnot Empower

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Empower

  • Specific advisory fees not published; Form ADV consultation required
  • High minimum investment thresholds ($100,000 for Personal Strategy)
  • Detailed fee structure available only in Form ADV documents

TurboTax

  • Pricing varies significantly based on tax complexity and filing date
  • Final price determined at filing time, subject to change without notice
  • Additional state return fees apply beyond federal pricing

Pricing, plan by plan

Empower

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Empower review.

TurboTax

Free
  • Free EditionFree
    • Simple Form 1040 returns only (~37% of taxpayers eligible)
  • Deluxe$59/one-time
    • Anticipated price, for more complex tax situations
  • Premium$79/one-time
    • Anticipated price, for complex tax scenarios with additional schedules
  • Expert Full Service$null/one-time
    • Custom pricing based on tax situation, forms required, and filing date

Which should you pick?

Choose Empower if

  • You need net worth tracking.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want investment tracking.
Empower review

Choose TurboTax if

  • You want to start without paying.
TurboTax review

Questions people ask

Is Empower or TurboTax better?
Neither clearly leads. Empower starts at On request and TurboTax at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Empower or TurboTax?
TurboTax has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Empower and Free for TurboTax.
Does Empower or TurboTax run on more platforms?
Empower runs on Web, Ios, Android. TurboTax runs on Web.
Can I use TurboTax for free?
Yes. TurboTax has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Empower starts at On request.
What is Empower best used for?
Empower is most often used for wealth tracking, retirement planning, investment analysis. Of those, wealth tracking and retirement planning are not what TurboTax is typically brought in for.
What can Empower do that TurboTax cannot?
Empower covers Net worth tracking, Investment tracking, Retirement planner, Cash flow.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Empower: Does Empower have a minimum investment requirement?

Empower's advisory services require different minimums based on service level. Personal Strategy advisory requires a minimum of $100,000 in investable assets. Private Client services require $1,000,000 or more.

Source
TurboTax: How much does TurboTax cost?

TurboTax offers a free option for simple returns (~37% of filers), Deluxe at $59, Premium at $79, and Expert Full Service with custom pricing determined at filing time. Actual prices are subject to change and vary based on tax situation complexity.

Source
Empower: How are Empower's advisory fees calculated?

Advisory fees are calculated based on the amount of assets being managed under advice. Specific fee rates are not disclosed on the homepage.

Source
TurboTax: Is there a free version of TurboTax?

Yes, TurboTax Free Edition is available at no cost for simple Form 1040 returns. Eligibility is limited to approximately 37% of taxpayers with straightforward tax situations.

Source
Empower: Is the high-yield cash account free?

Yes. Empower's high-yield cash account has no account fees and no minimum balance required.

Source
TurboTax: What extra fees apply when using TurboTax?

State return preparation requires additional fees beyond federal pricing. Price adjustments also apply based on the version selected and the date you file or e-file, as stated in TurboTax terms.

Source
Empower: Are there fees for stock and ETF trading?

Empower offers commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs with low fees.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Empower

More on TurboTax

Keep looking

Other head to heads